What we do

WaterAid's partner Gramonati Sansthan trained a group of seven women to become mechanics.

Credit: WaterAid

WaterAid India works with local partners, who understand local issues, and provides them with the skills and support to help communities set up and manage practical and sustainable projects that meet their real needs.

We also campaign to change policy and practice and ensure water and sanitation’s vital role in reducing poverty is recognised.

How we work

Through programme implementation, research and advocacy, WaterAid India contributes to critical social and institutional learning. WaterAid also helps to build capacity, innovate technology options and influence policy by engaging with a range of stakeholders.

WaterAid India works in both rural and urban areas, initiating community-led and integrated water, sanitation, health and hygiene projects by working with local partners. Over the years, we have developed 'tried and tested' techniques that ensure more of the country's poor gain access to safe, sustainable and affordable water, sanitation and hygiene education.

WaterAid India helps communities gain sustainable access to, and control over, safe and adequate water and sanitation facilities. It informs communities about their water and sanitation entitlements and helps to train villagers to maintain the new infrastructure. We also support communities to set up village water and sanitation committees to manage the project.

As sanitation coverage in India is low, WaterAid India's projects focus on the poor by creating a demand for latrines through advocacy and hygiene education with the help of training manuals and other material. As members of the community learn that poor hygiene causes disease, loss of productivity and expenses through costly medicines, they are inspired to develop their own solutions.

By demonstrating cost effective, practical examples using appropriate technologies that involve communities through self help groups, WaterAid India is able to influence the government's choice of methods and encourage local partner organisations to take the lead in all its work. In turn, they ensure that all members of the community, including the poorest and most marginalised, are involved in the projects.

Project activities

Advocacy programmes

Rural and urban programmes